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Alvie Alfred McClain

Alvie Alfred McClain went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, while at the Talihina Veterans Center.He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, one son and three sisters. Alvie is survived by his wife, Mildred of the home; son, Bruce and wife Yueqiu of Poteau; Brenda and husband, Matthew, of Poteau; three grandchildren, Eric, Jenny McClain and Tony Escalante; two great-grandchildren, Kayden and Brooklynn Escalante; two sisters, Louise Brown of Stockton, Calif., and Betty Franklin of Praire Grove, Ark.; one brother, Charlie Sanders of Oregon; and many fellow veterans and friends.Alvie was born at Elich and, while living in Dallas at the age of 17, he joined the Marines. Alvie served in the Pacific fighting the Japanese island by island. He helped in cleanup actions at Guadalcanal. He survived the war although he was hit by machine gun fire and lost his left leg and suffered injuries to his right shoulder. After receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals, he was discharged and came home to Summerfield where he raised cattle. As a Marine he was proud of the Marine flag that has a rattlesnake with a “Don’t Tread On Me” symbol, which means, “If you step on me you are going to get hurt,” and that was his attitude. Alvie was a boxer and always said he never lost a fight but did receive a lot of blows. Alvie was a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63 of Poteau and was one the founders of the chapter. He served in various positions and the one he loved the most was chaplain. He also served as chaplain for the state DAV and got the name of Chaplain Alvie “Padre” McClain. Because he loved his military time he also was a life member of the American Legion. He is and was a hero of the World War, serving his country giving “some as others gave their all.” Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at First Free Will Baptist Church in Poteau. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Fort Smith (Ark.) National Cemetery under the direction of Evans and Miller Funeral Home, Poteau.